Laura Chason on the benefits of language preparation before entering studies abroad in a different language from your native tongue

 

Two international students are flipping through animation shots on the Internet.  One student says, "Asymmetrical balance gives a dynamic, lively feeling to the drawing."  Are the students reviewing techniques learned in art class or are the students reviewing vocabulary learned in their English as a Second Language class?  Well, the answer is that the students are doing both, preparing for their American art and design education  by studying English in a program especially developed for art and design students.

 

Yossaya Aisiri is one such student.  Aisiri received a full scholarship from the Thai government to study abroad for an MA in Illustration Design.  She chose to study in the United States for several reasons.  One, she could specifically study illustration instead of studying for a general degree which only contained a few illustration classes.  Two, she could study graphic design classes along with her illustration classes.  Three, she could study English, knowledge of which would increase her employment opportunities at home.

 

Before beginning her MA degree, though, Aisiri needed to increase her language skills.  Like most Thai students, she started studying English in kindergarten.  However, her university did not offer continuation of English language studies.  She realized that before she began graduate work in the United States she needed to hone her language skills so that she could present herself in class, have friends in the United States and survive everyday life in the United States.

 

She is glad to have the few quarters in the English as a Second Language classes because they give her a chance to adapt herself to living in a new environment and to a new language without having to worry about how lower language skills might affect her grade.  Even studio classes require spoken presentations, class participation during critiques and written journals of how a work develops.  Thus, Aisiri's concern about her level of fluency is well-grounded.  Also, the language classes allow her to become familiar with the cultural context which supports the language and the academic culture expectations within which a student must perform.

 

Furthermore, before she officially begins her studies, Aisiri will take a series of courses entitled "Language of Art and Design" which teach western art history, design concepts and art and design vocabulary in order to prepare international students in the same fashion their American counterparts have been prepared in high school.  Some art and design concepts taught in these classes students learn and grasp for the first time in English.  Aisiri is looking forward to these classes because she will produce art projects as well as augment her speaking and critiquing skills, which are necessary to succeed in the American graduate art and design classroom.

 

Other components of the ESL program provide an outlet for her creativity as well.  Recently, Asiri participated in a birthday card design contest for which she won first place and $100.  Her design will be professionally produced by the university and used as a birthday card by the ESL department.  The art competition gave her a break from her normal studies and a chance to throw herself into something she loves, painting.  Other classes in ESL require her to use her artistic skills to work on her artist statement, develop illustrations for readings, use graphic design skills to produce books and create multimedia presentations to accompany class presentations.

 

The benefits of gaining a high level of English fluency, such as Aisiri is doing,  before beginning actual studies at an American university cannot be underestimated.  First, students can appreciate all that a course has to offer because they can comprehend it.  Secondly, students do not jeopardize their grade point average though low grades due to inadequate language skills.  Thirdly, students are prepared for the professors' expectations about academic behavior, which is specific to each culture.  Fourthly, as in Aisiri's case, she can prepare for the specialized vocabulary and skills needed for an Illustration Design MA by taking her English language classes at an art and design university.

 

So, when preparing to study abroad and searching for the program which is best for you, ask yourself, is my language fluent enough and my understanding of the academic culture strong enough to succeed in the classes?  Then, ask yourself what type of language program would prepare you best for the type of degree you are seeking.

 

Laura Chason is an Instructor on the English as a Second Language Program at Savannah College of Art and Design - an AAIEP Approved Program